Well on Saturday we had to say goodbye to Nanjing, the birthplace of our daughter. We miss the beautiful hotel we stayed in but we mostly miss our Guide, John who became a good friend to all of us. It was very hard to say goodbye knowing that we may never see him again. We were also blessed with a great driver named Lee - without him we wouldn't have made it anywhere around Nanjing. We had a safe flight to Guangzhou and Jiang Ting did very well on her first plane ride. She did say a few times that it hurt her ears but our guide John had already let her know that it would happen, so it wasn't a surprise to her. He helped us so much to communicate with her. He would write to her in Chinese and tell us what she said. While we were in Nanjing, we had our guide all to our self. Here in Guangzhou we have to share our two guides Lenneker and his wife Amy, between 22 of us.
When we were leaving the museum we were approached by a young man who said "excuse me, she would like to take a picture with you." He was talking about a teenage girl. I thought she wanted a picture with the American family, but she was only looking at Jayde. Jayde said, "me?" And the young man and the girl said "yes". I thought it was so cute. So the young man took the picture of her and Jayde with her camera and I quick shot one too! Then when Jayde was done another girl came up but thought she missed her chance and was upset, but when I told her it was okay for her to get one too she was so excited. So I snuck a picture of that too! The girls looked at Jayde with big puppy dog eyes and said "thank you" with very big smiles on their faces. You would think Jayde was a huge celebrity there! I think it made him feel pretty good too.
Jayde's fans in China
Our guide John (left) and driver Lee (right)
Ting's first trip on an airplane
Ting's first trip on an airplane
One of Ting's many "above the clouds" pictures
When we got to Guangzhou we were very pleased with the mild weather. We met up with the other families and received a nice welcome back. Jiang Ting was overwhelmed with all the Americans and she thought that everyone lived in Minnesota and they were all our good friends. Luckily, we printed off maps of China and the USA so we could point out to her that the families are from all over the US. When we got to the hotel all the babies along with her needed their picture taken for the Visa's that we're applying for. She didn't understand why she needed to take a picture when it was only babies getting theirs taken. I had to explain that she needed it to go home. She wasn't happy about it but she did it. We were so excited to find out that our hotel has a Starbucks connected to it and a McDonald's across the street. But when we went to our rooms our excited anticipation quickly faded. The rooms are much smaller as are the beds. The room smells very old and musty and we realized that we were very spoiled in Nanjing. Did I mention we miss it there? I am happy that it's warmer here though! I can't believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. The weather looks to be improving. We haven't seen the sun since we've been in China except when we were in the air above the clouds. Tomorrow (dec. 24) it's supposed to be clearing up in the afternoon and we should see sun and a high of 68 degrees! That kind of makes up for our sleeping situation.
Today we went to a Folklore Museum that was created for the Chen Family. They were the largest family in China and the beautiful place was made just for them. It seems weird that something that was so private is now a tourist attraction. We bought a beautiful print that a man made with the side of his pinky finger using black ink. It was amazing. Then we went shopping for more snacks. Jiang Ting is getting more used to us and is not so shy about asking for us to buy her things. We have no problem telling her no to a pair of shoes that are 500 yuan (about $70 US dollars). So it begins!
Today we went to a Folklore Museum that was created for the Chen Family. They were the largest family in China and the beautiful place was made just for them. It seems weird that something that was so private is now a tourist attraction. We bought a beautiful print that a man made with the side of his pinky finger using black ink. It was amazing. Then we went shopping for more snacks. Jiang Ting is getting more used to us and is not so shy about asking for us to buy her things. We have no problem telling her no to a pair of shoes that are 500 yuan (about $70 US dollars). So it begins!
Our Kids with the crysanthimum dragons
Pinky Art
A piece done by "pinky art"
The outside wall of the museum
Mike and Shelly in one of the gardens at the Museum
When we were leaving the museum we were approached by a young man who said "excuse me, she would like to take a picture with you." He was talking about a teenage girl. I thought she wanted a picture with the American family, but she was only looking at Jayde. Jayde said, "me?" And the young man and the girl said "yes". I thought it was so cute. So the young man took the picture of her and Jayde with her camera and I quick shot one too! Then when Jayde was done another girl came up but thought she missed her chance and was upset, but when I told her it was okay for her to get one too she was so excited. So I snuck a picture of that too! The girls looked at Jayde with big puppy dog eyes and said "thank you" with very big smiles on their faces. You would think Jayde was a huge celebrity there! I think it made him feel pretty good too.
Tomorrow is her medical exam and she needs 2 shots. Mike had our guide write down that this is going to happen tomorrow so she won't be surprised. When she read it, she was a little nervous but I think she'll do just fine. After that Shamian Island! Carolynn, I know you've been waiting for this! We just found out today and I couldn't help but think of you! I will take lots of pictures and hope to make some good purchases while we're there.
Jayde's fans in China
We're hoping the rest of the week will go quickly. We are having a great time, but we're all ready to come home!
Shopping for groceries in Guangzhou
3 comments:
AWESOME STUFF!!! So exciting to read about all of your "adventures"!! and so happy for all the Gelhars!! Jayde you are THE MAN - a world traveler hangin' with all the ladies!! SCHWEET!!
Hope everyone is doing great. What a wonderful Christmas for all of you!! Be safe. We are thinking of you, missing you, and praying for you.
Allan
Oh, I'm so excited you're going to Shamien! If you visit the Starbucks there, I hope you see the "playground" that is just down the street. I hope you can make it to Lucy's... it's kind of a "tradition" for adopting families, I think, as is the Cow and Bridge (I think I remembered that)! A block from Lucy's and on the other side of the street is a Seven Eleven where you can get Diet Coke for about 40 cents U.S.
Just a couple of weeks ago another friend was there, staying at the Victory, and she said that police came through Shamien and made the street vendors pack up and leave. So I will be interested to hear if they have come back, or if everything is now inside... which may be the case just because it's gotten cooler (68 in China is cool! lol!) I got one of those ink drawings on the street there and it wasn't until afterwards that I wished I had gotten a picture of the artist in action... or better yet, some video! Mind if I "borrow" whatever you come home with? :)
Have you ordered any chops???
I hope your daughter feels fine after her shots. Bless all you guys!
Oh! I almost forgot! If you find Jordon's he will do a free Chinese calligraphy with its meaning of each of your names. It's very near Lucy's, about a block away, but not on the same street. It's around the corner from Lucy's, on the street you would pass if you went to Seven Eleven. Does that make sense? If I were there, I could show you! lol!
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